Genetic deck based game

ABSTRACT

A game element for use in a genetic deck based game. The game element includes indicia to partition a larger set of game elements into ordered subsets of game elements. The game element also includes a unique identifier for the genetic deck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/725,042 filed on Dec. 21,2012, which application is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/725,042 claims thebenefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/579,606 filed on Dec. 22, 2011, which application is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention which will be described shifts the focus from aplurality of cards to a plurality of decks of cards. This moveeliminates the disadvantages of prior art that relies on libraries ofcards to build decks. In prior systems there must be special game rulesfor including multiple copies of the same card within a set, while thepresent invention eliminates the need for such rules.

The deck based nature of the present invention allows game designers toplace limits on the effective power of potential game decks at the timeof creation or printing while allowing players to construct a set ofcomponents in a manner that is transparent to the player. To attain bothof these foregoing advantages, the present invention uses a system ofindicia that partition all potential game elements into fixed lengthdecks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

One example embodiment includes a game element for use in a genetic deckbased game. The game element includes indicia to partition a larger setof game elements into ordered subsets of game elements. The game elementalso includes a unique identifier for the genetic deck.

Another example embodiment includes a system for playing a genetic deckbased game. The system includes at least one game element. The at leastone game element includes one or more indicia to partition a larger setof game elements into ordered subsets of game elements. The at least onegame element also includes a unique identifier for the genetic deck. Thesystem also includes a set of game tokens assigned a numerical value.The system further includes a game surface including a plurality of gamespaces.

Another example embodiment includes a system for playing a genetic deckbased game. The system includes a game surface including a plurality ofgame spaces configured to allow play by at least two players. The systemalso includes a first set of game elements assigned to the first player.Each of the game elements in the first set of game elements includes oneor more indicia to partition a larger set of game elements into orderedsubsets of game elements and a unique identifier for the first set ofgame elements. The system further includes a first set of game tokensassigned to the first player, wherein each of the game tokens in thefirst set of game tokens is assigned a numerical value. The systemadditionally includes a second set of game elements assigned to thesecond player. Each of the game elements in the second set of gameelements includes one or more indicia to partition a larger set of gameelements into ordered subsets of game elements and a unique identifierfor the second set of game elements. The system moreover includes asecond set of game tokens assigned to the second player, wherein each ofthe game tokens in the second set of game tokens is assigned a numericalvalue. The system also includes a layout for each of the two players forplacement of the player's game elements. The system further includes aset of random number generators.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of the example of a game element;

FIG. 1B illustrates a rear view of the example of a game element;

FIG. 2 illustrates a game element with a deck identifier;

FIG. 3 illustrates the layout of game elements for a single playerseating;

FIG. 4 illustrates a game playing surface for organizing a plurality ofplayers participating in a genetic deck based game;

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative game playing surface for organizing aplurality of game tokens for players participating in a game using thegenetic deck method;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the tokens and playing piecesimplemented as part of the collection of game elements comprising thegenetic deck

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate example of a game element with part orthe entire game playing surface implemented as part of the collection ofgame elements comprising the genetic deck; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a suitable computing environment inwhich the invention may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures willbe provided with like reference designations. It is understood that thefigures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of someembodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the presentinvention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example of a game element 100. FIG. 1Aillustrates a front view of the example of a game element 100; and FIG.1B illustrates a rear view of the example of a game element 100. Thegame element 100 can be used to play a genetic deck based game, asdescribed below. The game element 100 can include a card, a virtualrepresentation or any other desired element. The term “genetic deck” isused to describe a plurality of game elements 100 of the type describedin the disclosure of this invention that have non-repeating sequenceindicia. A “genetic deck” belonging to a player may also be referred toin this disclosure simply as a “deck”.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show that the game element 100 can include a set ofindicia 102. The indicia can include text recognizable by a human orelements intended to be read by a machine, such as a bar code. Theindicia 102 are used to implement a selection right method for thewinner of the game. This selection right means that the winner maychoose to evolve their deck via a crossover method, to dispatch or toreceive modification to their genetic deck by an external factor via amutation method, or to cause the termination of another player's deckvia an extinction method. This selection right method also includes theplayer's ability to do nothing.

The genetic deck based selection rights sub methods include:

-   -   A mutation method. In “mutation” the “decks” or collection of        game elements 100 of one or more players may be modified at one        or more contiguous sequence indicia and occurs during        interaction with a game journal or database.        -   A point mutation sub method. In a “point mutation” a card of            a single sequence indicia is exchanged for another rare card            from a pool of game elements 100 that may be outside the set            of game elements 100 held in the decks of the players. A            mutation is the result of the predetermined interaction of            two or more decks based on the deck's deck identifier;        -   A forced mutation sub method. A “forced mutation” causes a            player to accept a change regardless of his choice; and        -   A mass mutation sub method. A “mass mutation” can create a            new signature indicia, constructing a new signature            partition or set of game elements 100 for distribution;    -   A crossover method. In “crossover” the decks of both players are        modified at one or more contiguous sequence indicia.        -   A point crossover sub method. In a “point crossover” a game            element 100 of a single sequence indicia of the winner's            choice is exchanged between the winning and losing player's            decks;    -   An extinction method. In “extinction” the deck of the loser has        a game element 100 removed without an exchange.        -   A forced extinction sub method. In “forced extinction” this            creates a deck without a fully contiguous sequence of            indicia and a deck that does not meet the predefined size of            the designer. Such a deck may no longer be used in standard            play and is thus “extinct”; and        -   A planned extinction sub method. In “planned extinction” the            designer may choose to terminate a game element 100 or            sequence of game elements 100 in the deck of the loser thus            rendering the deck no longer able to be used in standard            play and “extinct”. This extinction occurs during            interaction with a game journal or database.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show that the indicia 102 can include a cost indicia 102a. The cost indicia 102 a gives the cost of putting a card into play.I.e., the cost of drawing a card is predetermined with the cost given inthe cost indicia 102 a. In particular, the cost indicia 102 a is usedwith the randomizing element 100 or the state of game tokens in play togovern putting a game element 100 into play or removing it from play.FIGS. 1A and 1B also show that the indicia 102 can include a sequenceindicia 102 b. The sequence indicia 102 b is used to identify a specificelement 100 within a grouping or partition of game elements 100 with anidentical signature indicia called a signature partition.

FIGS. 1A and 1B further show that the indicia 102 can include a subgroup indicia 102 c. The sub group indicia 102 c is used to group orpartition a set of game elements 100 into certain types based on sharedattributes including strengths, weakness and capabilities. FIGS. 1A and1B additionally show that the indicia 102 can include an alignmentindicia 102 d. The alignment indicia 102 d classifies a larger group orpartition of game elements 100 as being part of one or more game playstyles. FIGS. 1A and 1B moreover show that the indicia 102 can include asignature indicia 102 e. The signature indicia 102 e is used as theprimary way to group or partition game elements 100.

FIGS. 1A and 1B also show that the indicia 102 can include a title 102f. The title 102 f is used as the name for a game element 100. FIGS. 1Aand 1B further show that the indicia 102 can include control text 102 g.The control text 102 g is used to explain the power or effect of a gameelement 100. FIGS. 1A and 1B additionally show that the indicia 102 caninclude a control image 102 h. The control image 102 h is a graphic usedto represent the game element 100. This graphic may also be used asindicator of the revision level or rarity of this game element 100.

The number of game elements 100 is to be a set of a predetermined numberof game elements 100 (either digital of physical) from the set of allpossible game elements 100; the number is predetermined by thedesigner's game rules. This required set of game elements 100 (eitherdigital of physical) is referred to a deck. Each deck must have a set ofgame elements 100 with unique sequence indicia 102 b.

The game elements 100 may be made of preprinted card stock for aphysical implementation. For a digital implementation the game elements100 may be data constructs that are rendered on an output device forpresentation of information in visual or tactile form such as a monitor,stereoscopic display or holographic projection.

FIG. 2 illustrates a game element 100 with a deck identifier 202. Thedeck identifier 202 uniquely identifies a collection or assembly of gameelements 100 or a deck or cards. The deck identifier 202 is used with ajournal or database to track transactions between collections of gameelements 100. The deck identifier enables a synchronization method,reanimation method, cloning method and a fading method.

-   -   In a synchronization method after the selection right has been        exercised, “synchronization” can occur. Synchronization is the        process where game results for each deck identifier 202 in play        are entered into a journal or database. These results allow the        deck identifier to mirror the “real” deck.    -   In a reanimation method for an extinct deck identifier 202, the        designer may allow the “reanimation” of a deck previously marked        extinct in a journal or database by allowing a plurality of deck        identifiers 202 to be merged under a previous extinct deck        identifier 202. The extinct game elements 100 each have a game        specific predetermined threshold for being successfully merged        into the new collection of game elements 100. A randomizing        element 100 determines the success of each extinct element 100        being successfully transferred to the reanimated deck. Duplicate        sequence indicia elements 100 after the merge are eliminated.    -   In a cloning method because the genetic deck game method of play        relies on a deck identifier 202, in situations where a physical        set of cards is lost or destroyed the journal or database record        can provide a clone or exact copy of a set of game elements 100        up to the most recent transaction by starting with the initial        distribution of game elements 100 and processing each genetic        deck transaction.    -   In a fading method as deck identifiers age from the date of        their first journal or database entry, deck identifiers become        less viable in cloning or reanimation. The fading method sets a        designer defined function that decreases the ability to perform        successful cloning or reanimation over time. Fading errors may        produce mutations that drive the mutation method.

At least one deck identifier 202 may be bundled with a set of apredetermined number of game elements 100 (either digital of physical).The deck identifier 202 may be a preprinted card included with thedistribution of a set of game elements 100. This deck identifier 202 maybe human or machine readable. The deck identifier 202 may be occluded orconcealed by a removable seal to prevent unauthorized activation or useof a deck identifier 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates the layout 300 of game elements 100 for a singleplayer seating. The layout 300 can include a discard area 302, a primaryactivation area 304, a secondary activation area 306, a tertiaryactivation area 308 and a staging area 310. The primary activation area,secondary activation area and tertiary activation areas are and anyadditional designated activation areas are collectively referred to asthe “activation area”.

The discard area 302 is an area used to display or place game elements100 removed from play, the primary activation area 304 is first of threeor more areas used to display or place active game elements 100, thesecondary activation area 306 is second of three or more areas used todisplay or place active game elements 100, the tertiary activation area308 is third of three or more areas used to display or place active gameelements 100 and the staging area 310, is the area used for elements 100placed “face down” or otherwise partially or totally concealed waitingto be drawn into the player's hand.

The proportion and spacing of the areas 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 aresuch to permit a game element 100 to fit within the described area. Fordigital implementations of the invention this size may be variable tofit the size of the output display. This layout 300 may be duplicatedfor each player in the game playing surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates a game playing surface 400 for organizing a pluralityof players participating in a genetic deck based game. Areas for eachadditional player as described in FIG. 3 may be added. In a digitalimplementation these areas may exist as a plurality of screens accessedby physical or virtual control devices, pull down menus or other userinterfaces. The game playing surface 400 can include a mat or board usedfor organizing a plurality of players participating in a genetic deckgame and for playing the host or reference game that uses the geneticdeck game methods.

The design of the game playing surface 400 may be customized to fit thedesign, theme and board requirements of the host or reference game usingthe genetic deck game method. The game playing surface 400 may be aphysical mat or board used for organizing a plurality of playersparticipating in a genetic deck game produced of any suitable materialsuch paper, wood, cloth or card stock, or it may be a data constructrendered on an output device for presentation of information in visualor tactile form such as a monitor, stereoscopic display or holographicprojection.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative game playing surface 400 fororganizing a plurality of game tokens for players participating in agame using the genetic deck method. FIG. 5 shows that the game caninclude random number generators in the form of dice 502, a plurality ofgame tokens 504 a-504 e (collectively “game tokens 504”) and a pluralityof marked and unmarked game surface cells 506.

The game playing surface 400 is a place where a sample themed game ofstrategy and sorcery between at least two players is held. This gamereferred to as the “reference game” uses the genetic deck methoddisclosed. The game is over when either:

-   -   A player occupies three of the four marked game surface cells        506 on the game playing surface 400. This is called an “occupy”        victory;    -   A player loses all of his game token504. This is called a        “vanquish” victory;    -   A player is unable to move or act. This is called a “bind”        victory; or    -   A player resigns from the game. This is a called a “yield”        victory.

The components needed to play the reference game may be distributed assets for a single player or they may be distributed as sets for amultiple of players. This bundle of elements may include a set of themedgenetic deck game elements with external elements such as game tokens504 or an external game board or as a wholly integrated genetic deckwith the game tokens 504 and board represented as a plurality of gameelements. Game tokens 504 are each assigned a numerical value wherein:

-   -   The numerical value determines the level or strength of the        playing piece;    -   The numerical value determines the movement range and pattern of        the playing piece; and    -   The numerical value may be adjusted during the course of play.

Each player begins with a number of tokens 504 a-504 e. The playerbegins with seven common tokens 504 a-504 d and one unique token 504 e.The common tokens 504 a-504 d may be any design with the ability to showfour or more unique states or levels. All game tokens 504 are placed ona set of starting positions on the game playing surface 400. Thestarting positions are mirrored by each player.

The game playing surface 400, in the form of a mat or surface in thisembodiment of the invention is always arranged so that a single cell isdirectly in front of each player. The unique token 504 e is placed inthe cell directly in front of the player. Four common tokens 504 a areplaced on the field with a level indication of “1” in the 4th rank orhorizontal row on the game playing surface 400. One common token 504 cis placed on the field with a level indication “3” in the center cell ofthe 3rd rank or horizontal row on the game playing surface 400. Twocommon tokens 504 b are placed on the field with a level indication “2”in the 2nd rank or horizontal row on the game playing surface 400.

Using game tokens 504 each player begins with exactly thirteen geneticdeck game elements. These game elements compose the genetic deck andfollow all rules for composition as described above. Before play, eachplayer's deck of game elements is shuffled and placed “face down” in tothe staging area 310 which may be marked on the game playing surface 400(as in FIG. 5) or unmarked. Each player begins with a pair of six-sideddice. One die is designated as the random number generator affecting thegame tokens. One die is designated as the random number generatoraffecting the genetic deck.

The random number generators 502, control the flow of the game in oneembodiment by using the following rules:

-   -   The random number values from the controller of the game tokens        have the following standard effects:        -   Value {1}: no physical move is possible this turn.        -   Value {3, 5}: a player may move two tokens this turn.        -   Value {2,4,6}: a player may move one token this turn.    -   The values from the controller of the genetic deck have the        following standard effects:        -   Value {1}: no casting action is possible and the player must            draw or dispel one game element this turn.        -   Value {2-6}: a player is granted the rolled number of points            to activate a card (304, 306, 308) or to draw a card from            the “face down” staging area 310.    -   If the unique token 504 e is removed from play, the values from        the controller of the genetic deck have the following effects:        -   Value {1,3}: no casting action is possible and the player            must draw or discard one game element this turn.    -   Because the battle is over when a player is unable to move or        act (bind), if through a roll of the dice, a player is unable to        move and has expended all of the face down cards in his “face        down” staging area 310 or has no card in play 304, 306, 308 or        to dispel to the discard area 302 the player loses the game.

When using the tokens 504 a-504 e on the game playing surface 400,player movement in the present invention is in relation to the player.Thus, “forward” and “backward” are defined in relation to the player whois currently moving. Moving away from the player is motion forward onthe game playing surface 400. Moving towards the player is motionbackward on the game playing surface 400. The movement tokens in thisembodiment of a genetic deck based game are governed by standardmethods, special methods, promotion methods and capture methods.

-   -   Under standard movement methods, generally any token 504 a-504 e        may move as many empty cells as it has levels. For example, a        token of level 4 504 d power may move up to 4 empty cells.        Additionally, no token may jump over an opponent's token or        another of the player's own tokens. The unique token 504 e may        initially move 5 empty cells but is reduced in movement range        for each game element in the active areas 304, 306, 308.    -   Under special movement methods, each token 504 a-504 e may move        in accord with its indicated level. A level 1 504 a token may        move only 1 cell vertically forward. A level 2 504 b token may        move up to 2 cells vertically forward or backward. A level 3 504        c token may move up to 3 cells diagonally forward. A level 4 504        d token may move up to 4 cells diagonally forward or backward.        The unique token 504 e is considered a level 5 token and may        move up to 5 cells in any direction (forward or backward        diagonally, vertically or horizontally).    -   Under promotion movement methods, the cells located on the edge        of the game board on the game playing surface 400 allow        promotion. When a token 504 a-504 d crosses into one of these        border cells the token it is promoted to a higher level. The        edges are defined relative to location of the player. The two        edges that are farthest from the player are the forward edges.        Common tokens 504 a and 504 c that may move only forward are        promoted when entering the cells on the forward border of the        board. All other common tokens 504 b are promoted when they        enter the cells on the border closest to the player. Generally,        a level 4 504 d token may not be promoted. Generally, the unique        token 504 e may not be promoted.    -   Under capture methods, a token 504 a-504 e may capture an        opponent's token by moving to an occupied cell within range.        When an opponent's token is captured, the capturing token must        move one additional cell horizontally or vertically from the        site of the capture. This rule is referred to as the “one cell        rule”. Additionally a player may use “chain capturing”        (chaining) to capture multiple opponent tokens by using the one        cell rule to move into other cells occupied by opponent tokens.

The random number generators 502, determines which side will have thefirst turn of the game. Whichever side has a higher combined total movesfirst. Each successive turn begins with the use of a random numbergenerator or a plurality of generators such as a set of dice. Afterwardsacquiring a set of random numbers, the player may move or cast based onthe numbers provided. At the end of a turn, the player announces the endof his turn. In another embodiment of the invention the state of tokens504 remaining in play at the start of the player's turn overrides thenumber generated by the random number generator providing the pointsused to move or cast. The state of the tokens 504 in play include theindividual or aggregate of any mutable variable, value or attribute ofone or more active tokens 504 at an instant of time such as theircurrent number, level, location or age.

The tokens 504, game playing surface 400 and game may be modified by theuse of the genetic deck. This use of the genetic deck is called“casting” as long as the unique token is in play and there aresufficient points “to cast” or put in play a game element according tothe game element's cost indicia 102 a, the player may cast a card fromtheir hand to the active area 304, 306, 308. Casting is governed by thefollowing drawing methods, casting methods, limiting methods anddispelling methods.

-   -   Under drawing methods, the player begins with no cards in their        hand or in play and may draw a card from his staging area 310        during his turn. The cost of drawing a card is predetermined.        The cost indicia 102 a gives the cost of putting a card into        play.    -   Under casting methods, when a game element is put into play or        “cast”, the player should announce the game element or game        elements being played and place the game element face up in the        active area 304, 306, 308. Only a special type of game element        identified as “castless” is able to be put in play with or        without the unique token 504 e being in play. The player may        place a plurality of game elements in to an active area. The        topmost game element governs the “stack” of cards below it and        is considered the active game element in the stack.    -   Under limiting methods, a player may have no more than a        predetermined number of game elements in hand and no more than a        predetermined number of active game elements. In one embodiment        of this invention the player is limited to 13 game elements in        his hand and no more than 3 active game elements in play.    -   Under dispelling methods, when an active game element is removed        from play or “dispelled”, the game element is moved to the        discard area 302. When the unique token 504 e of the player is        captured the player must discard all drawn game elements. The        game elements in play however, remain in play until they are        removed from play.

When a player wins a genetic deck based game there are three courses ofaction for the winner: The winner may choose not to actively use hisselection rights. This act does not preclude the possibility ofautomatic methods such as mutation method occurring. The winner may usehis selection rights to exchange game elements with the game elementsfrom the loser's deck by using the crossover method. The winner or anofficial may use his selection rights to demand any single card from anopponent by using the extinction method.

The design of the game tokens 504 a-504 e may be customized to fit thedesign, theme and board requirements of the game using the genetic deckgame method. The physical or virtual tokens may utilize existingpolygonal objects such a dice with preprinted or inscribed indicia. Inanother embodiment of the invention the tokens may be a physicalconstruct with a dial to display indicia to indicate the level of thetoken. In still yet another embodiment of the invention the tokens maytake the form of game elements within the genetic deck as will bedisclosed in FIG. 6.

The design of the game playing surface 400 may take the form of smallerboard or mat omitting a plurality of preprinted areas for a singleplayer seating as shown in FIG. 3. The part or entire game playingsurface may take the form of game elements within the genetic deck aswill be disclosed in FIG. 7.

The tokens 504 a-504 e and randomizing elements 502 may be made ofplastic, stone, glass, wood or any sturdy material for a physicalimplementation. For a digital implementation the tokens 504 andrandomizing elements may be data constructs that are rendered on anoutput device for presentation of information in visual or tactile formsuch as a monitor, stereoscopic display or holographic projection.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of the tokens and playing piecesimplemented as part of the collection of game elements 600 comprisingthe genetic deck. The control image 102 h in this alternate embodimentis a graphic used to represent the token. The token or playing piece hasall of the attributes of the embodiment of FIG. 5. One game element 600for each possible level of a token exists in the genetic deck and ahigher level game element 600 must be played on top of another lowerlevel game element 600 to promote a token. In another embodiment of theinvention the levels of each token are unique for each genetic deck andplayers must compete for the selection right to acquire higher leveltokens from other players.

The token or playing piece as part of the genetic deck has all of theother attributes of other members the genetic deck. All elements 600 ofthe deck should have same approximate dimensions including weight andthickness. The tokens as part of the genetic deck may be made ofpreprinted card stock for a physical implementation. For a digitalimplementation the game elements 600 may be data constructs that arerendered on an output device for presentation of information in visualor tactile form such as a monitor, stereoscopic display or holographicprojection.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate example of a game element 700 with partor the entire game playing surface 400 implemented as part of thecollection of game elements 700 comprising the genetic deck. The controlimage 102 h is a graphic used to represent the token. The control image102 h in is a graphic used to represent a segment of the game playingsurface 400. The player may not move to areas of the game world not yetrevealed by his genetic deck.

The game playing surface as part of the genetic deck has all of theother attributes of other members the genetic deck. All elements 700 ofthe deck should have same approximate dimensions including weight andthickness. The game playing surface as part of the genetic deck may bemade of preprinted card stock for a physical implementation. For adigital implementation the game elements 700 may be data constructs thatare rendered on an output device for presentation of information invisual or tactile form such as a monitor, stereoscopic display orholographic projection.

FIG. 8, and the following discussion, is intended to provide a brief,general description of a suitable computing environment in which theinvention may be implemented. Although not required, the invention willbe described in the general context of computer-executable instructions,such as program modules, being executed by computers in networkenvironments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, etc. that performs particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executableinstructions, associated data structures, and program modules representexamples of the program code means for executing steps of the methodsdisclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represents examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices,mobile phones, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where tasks are performed by localand remote processing devices that are linked (either by hardwiredlinks, wireless links, or by a combination of hardwired or wirelesslinks) through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 8, an example system for implementing theinvention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of aconventional computer 820, including a processing unit 821, a systemmemory 822, and a system bus 823 that couples various system componentsincluding the system memory 822 to the processing unit 821. It should benoted however, that as mobile phones become more sophisticated, mobilephones are beginning to incorporate many of the components illustratedfor conventional computer 820. Accordingly, with relatively minoradjustments, mostly with respect to input/output devices, thedescription of conventional computer 820 applies equally to mobilephones. The system bus 823 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memoryincludes read only memory (ROM) 824 and random access memory (RAM) 825.A basic input/output system (BIOS) 826, containing the basic routinesthat help transfer information between elements 100 within the computer820, such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM 824.

The computer 820 may also include a magnetic hard disk drive 827 forreading from and writing to a magnetic hard disk 839, a magnetic diskdrive 828 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 829,and an optical disc drive 830 for reading from or writing to removableoptical disc 831 such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. The magnetichard disk drive 827, magnetic disk drive 828, and optical disc drive 830are connected to the system bus 823 by a hard disk drive interface 832,a magnetic disk drive-interface 833, and an optical drive interface 834,respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable mediaprovide nonvolatile storage of computer-executable instructions, datastructures, program modules and other data for the computer 820.Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a magnetichard disk 839, a removable magnetic disk 829 and a removable opticaldisc 831, other types of computer readable media for storing data can beused, including magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digitalversatile discs, Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, and the like.

Program code means comprising one or more program modules may be storedon the hard disk 839, magnetic disk 829, optical disc 831, ROM 824 orRAM 825, including an operating system 835, one or more applicationprograms 836, other program modules 837, and program data 838. A usermay enter commands and information into the computer 820 throughkeyboard 840, pointing device 842, or other input devices (not shown),such as a microphone, joy stick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,motion detectors or the like. These and other input devices are oftenconnected to the processing unit 821 through a serial port interface 846coupled to system bus 823. Alternatively, the input devices may beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, a game port or auniversal serial bus (USB). A monitor 847 or another display device isalso connected to system bus 823 via an interface, such as video adapter848. In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically includeother peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers andprinters.

The computer 820 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computers849 a and 849 b. Remote computers 849 a and 849 b may each be anotherpersonal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device orother common network node, and typically include many or all of theelements 100 described above relative to the computer 820, although onlymemory storage devices 850 a and 850 b and their associated applicationprograms 836 a and 836 b have been illustrated in FIG. 8. The logicalconnections depicted in FIG. 8 include a local area network (LAN) 851and a wide area network (WAN) 852 that are presented here by way ofexample and not limitation. Such networking environments are commonplacein office-wide or enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 820 can beconnected to the local network 851 through a network interface oradapter 853. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 820may include a modem 854, a wireless link, or other means forestablishing communications over the wide area network 852, such as theInternet. The modem 854, which may be internal or external, is connectedto the system bus 823 via the serial port interface 846. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 820, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Itwill be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary andother means of establishing communications over wide area network 852may be used.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game element for use in a genetic deck basedgame, the game element comprising: indicia to partition a larger set ofgame elements into ordered subsets of game elements; and a uniqueidentifier for the genetic deck.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theindicia includes a cost indicia that gives the cost of putting a cardinto play.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicia includes asequence indicia that is used to identify a specific element within agrouping or partition of game elements with an identical signatureindicia called a signature partition.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe indicia includes a sub group indicia that is used to group orpartition a set of game elements 100 into certain types based on sharedattributes including strengths, weakness and capabilities.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the indicia includes an alignment indicia thatclassifies a larger group or partition of game elements 100 as beingpart of one or more game play styles.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe indicia includes a signature indicia configured to be used as theprimary way to group or partition game elements.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the indicia includes a title used as the name for a gameelement.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicia includes controltext configured to explain the power of a game element.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the indicia includes a control image configured torepresent the game element.
 10. A system for playing a genetic deckbased game, the system comprising: at least one game element, the atleast one game element including: one or more indicia to partition alarger set of game elements into ordered subsets of game elements; and aunique identifier for the genetic deck; a set of game tokens assigned anumerical value; and a game surface including a plurality of gamespaces.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the numerical valuedetermines the level or strength of the playing piece.
 12. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the numerical value determines the movement range andpattern of the playing piece.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein thenumerical value may be adjusted during the course of play.
 14. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the playing surface includes a board. 15.The system of claim 10, wherein the playing surface includes a mat. 16.The system of claim 10, wherein the tokens are integrated in to the gameelements.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the game playing surfaceis integrated in to the game element.
 18. A system for playing a geneticdeck based game, the system comprising: a game surface including aplurality of game spaces configured to allow play by at least twoplayers; and a first set of game elements assigned to the first player,wherein each of the game elements in the first set of game elementsincludes: one or more indicia to partition a larger set of game elementsinto ordered subsets of game elements; and a unique identifier for thefirst set of game elements; a first set of game tokens assigned to thefirst player, wherein each of the game tokens in the first set of gametokens is assigned a numerical value; a second set of game elementsassigned to the second player, wherein each of the game elements in thesecond set of game elements includes: one or more indicia to partition alarger set of game elements into ordered subsets of game elements; and aunique identifier for the second set of game elements; a second set ofgame tokens assigned to the second player, wherein each of the gametokens in the second set of game tokens is assigned a numerical value; alayout for each of the two players for placement of the player's gameelements; and a set of random number generators.
 19. The system of claim18, wherein the random number generators include dice.
 20. The system ofclaim 18, further comprising a journal, wherein the journal: allows theactivation of the first set of game elements using a unique identifier;allows the de-activation of the first set of game elements using theunique identifier.